The Great Hall was a hive of activity as the teachers began the meticulous process of splitting the massive student body into specialized strike teams.
At the UA table, Aizawa and Vlad King stood before the forty-six expectant faces of Class 3-A and 3-B. The air was thick with nerves.
"Listen up," Vlad King boomed, his voice cutting through the murmurs. "We have divided you into balanced squads. Each team will consist of five students from 3-B and five from 3-A, forming a ten-person unit. These units will then be paired with five students from the other academies—Marines, Samurais, or Adventurers—to ensure every team has a diverse range of skills."
Aizawa, looking as tired as ever but with a sharp glint in his eyes, stepped forward. "The first group will be led by Yaoyorozu and Kendo. The second by..."
For the next thirty minutes, the teachers ran through the lists. Most of the students were assigned to the East Blue Expedition, a sprawling mission across the safer islands under Marine control. It was designed to test their teamwork and basic survival skills in a controlled environment.
However, as the names were called, a small, elite group noticed they hadn't been mentioned.
The Selected Individuals—the fifteen UA students previously discussed by the teachers, along with the "Three Brothers" from the Adventurers, the Marine elites like Coby and Smoker, and the Wano swordsmen—were quietly pulled aside. While the rest of the hall was busy discussing the relatively safe East Blue mission, this vanguard was briefed in hushed tones about a destination far more treacherous.
"Your path is different," Zephyr told the Marine elites, his voice low. "You are the ones heading into the Void," Dragon whispered to the brothers.
The teachers then began to introduce the Guides for each team. Experienced veterans and senior students were assigned to lead the youth, ensuring that while the students would be tested, they wouldn't be walking into the jaws of death without a compass.
As the students began to gather their gear and meet their new teammates from other academies, the realization hit: the groups were finally formed. The boundaries between "Hero," "Pirate," and "Samurai" were starting to blur as they stood shoulder-to-shoulder.
After 30 minutes of finalizing.
Sengoku stood at the podium, his sharp gaze cutting through the air as he addressed the select few remaining in the massive hall. The atmosphere had shifted; the rowdy energy of the morning had vanished, replaced by a cold, sharp tension.
"For those of you remaining," Sengoku's voice was like iron, "you are the vanguard. You will not be heading to the East Blue. You are being sent to the heart of the anomaly—the new island. It is a place where the risk of death is absolute. If any of you feel your heart waver, speak now. We will reallocate you to the safer expeditions with no shame."
He scanned the faces: 15 from UA, the 7 Adventurers, the 6 Samurai, the 5 Marine elites, and the 2 Kuja representatives.
Silence. Not a single student moved. Not a single eye blinked in fear.
"Bwahahahaha!"
A thunderous laugh shook the windows of the hall. Every student felt a sudden, crushing weight—an aura so dense it felt like the gravity had doubled. Walking through the entrance was the legendary Iron Fist, Monkey D. Garp. He stood there, grinning broadly, munching on a handful of crackers as if he hadn't just walked into a room full of the world's most dangerous teenagers.
"That's the spirit, kiddos!" Garp roared, his presence filling the entire hall.
Luffy, who was casually picking his nose, flicked a booger toward the legend. "Hey, Grandpa. What are you doing here?"
The hall went dead silent.
"Did he... did he just say 'Grandpa'?" Yoarashi whispered, his eyes bulging. "I believe he did," Law muttered, readjusting his hat, though even he looked slightly disturbed. The UA students stared at Luffy, then back at Garp, their minds struggling to connect the dots between the goofy boy in the straw hat and the pinnacle of Haki.
Bakugo was the only one who didn't seem surprised. He let out a sharp, explosive scuff. "So you're that old man's grandson? Hah! Makes me want to beat you even more, Straw Hat!"
Garp just laughed harder. "Hahaha! That's the spirit, boy! Spiky and loud—I like it!"
Sengoku let out a long, suffering sigh and coughed loudly to regain control. "Ahem! As I was saying... you have been chosen because your teachers believe you are the only ones capable of surviving what is coming. But I must repeat, the danger is—"
"Admiral."
Ace stepped forward, orange flames licking at his shoulders, his expression one of absolute conviction. He cracked his neck, his voice echoing with authority. "Our teachers chose us because of our will. And that, Admiral, is the one thing you can never question. We aren't backing down."
"Hahaha! That's how it should be!" Mirio Togata shouted, rolling up his sleeves with a wide, heroic grin.
"Our will is stronger than you think," Smoker added, the smoke from his cigars swirling around his stern face.
"Our hearts will never waver," Zoro stated, his hand resting firmly on the hilt of his katana.
"Spirit! That's it! SPIRIIIIT!" Yoarashi yelled, thrusting his fist into the air.
At that moment, the room seemed to glow. Every student in that vanguard began to radiate their own unique aura—a mixture of Quirks, Haki, and pure, unadulterated willpower. It was a sight that made the shadows in the corner of the room retreat.
From the entrance, the sound of slow, rhythmic clapping began. The other teachers—Aizawa, Vlad king ,Dragon, Fujitora, Zephyr and the rest—stood there, watching their pupils. A silent sense of pride filled the air. In their minds, a single thought was shared:
We made the right choice.
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To be continued